P-Noy shows up at LP bash for Mar

MANILA, Philippines - Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, standard bearer of the ruling Liberal Party, yesterday apologized if he comes across as elitist or snobbish, as he vowed to show his true self to improve his low survey ratings.

Roxas made the remarks during a gathering at a restaurant in Greenhills, San Juan where President Aquino made a surprise appearance and delivered a short speech in support of his anointed one.

The event, attended by 1,200 political leaders, was said to be a “simple gathering” and show of force of supporters from local governments.

“They said I’m a snob, elitist or one who comes on too strong or a know-it-all. That’s okay, we can smile. I apologize if I gave you that impression. I hope that in the coming months, you can get to know me well and how others really close to me see me,” Roxas said.

He assured his supporters that his low ratings in pre-elections surveys are temporary and should not be the gauge of voters’ preference for candidates.

“Our (survey) numbers are low and I can’t dissuade you from ignoring this in your political calculations… but all these are maybes, and there’s one thing that’s sure, we’re on the right side,” Roxas said.

Roxas has been trailing behind Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Grace Poe in presidential pre-polls surveys. Poe, however, has yet to announce her political plans for 2016.

Campaign jingle

With still two months left before the filing of certificates of candidacy in October, a song likely to be Roxas’ campaign jingle was posted on his social networking sites.

The song “Tribute sa Daang Matuwid” was performed by singer and songwriter Noel Cabangon shortly after Aquino formally endorsed Roxas as his preferred sucessor on July 31. It was uploaded on Facebook and SoundCloud on the same day.

The lyrics – “Dapat ang pangulo, MARangal. Dapat ang pangulo, MARunong. Dapat ang pangulo, MARespeto. Dapat ang pangulo, may malasakit sa MARalita” – played on Roxas’ nickname Mar.

Campaign jingles are known to play a key role in promoting name recall for candidates during the election season.

‘Robredo for Roxas’

If he were still alive today, late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo would likely support Roxas’ presidential bid, according to Jessica “Aika” Robredo, his eldest daughter.

“Papa had given me the impression that Mar was someone he could and would go to battle with… He was a Mar Roxas believer through and through,” Aika posted on her Facebook account last July 31.

The post, which included a photo of Robredo and Roxas, had about 4,500 likes and over 500 shares as of yesterday afternoon.

“Mama (Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo) used to jokingly refer to Mar as Papa’s second wife. He was a regular breakfast date, whose name would often come up during dinner conversations along with the many stories of what it was like to be a part of P-Noy’s Cabinet,” Aika said.

She said her father was all set to help Roxas in his presidential bid in 2010. But when Roxas gave way to Aquino, the now interior chief supposedly asked Robredo to focus on Aquino “because he seemed to need it more at the time.” – With Cecille Suerte Felipe